Creamline sweeps Al Naser to open AVC Champions League bid

The Creamline Cool Smashers began their 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League campaign with a dominant straight-sets win over Al Naser Club, 29-27, 25-20, 25-19, on Sunday, April 20, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

After a shaky start in the opening frame, the Cool Smashers showed poise under pressure. Trailing 14-18 due to early miscues, they turned the tide with a 6-1 run to take the lead at 20-19. Jema Galanza delivered two key hits late in the set, and Pangs Panaga sealed it with a decisive block on Natiele Marques Gonçalves.

Riding the momentum, Creamline dictated the pace in the second set. With the score tied at 5-all, the Cool Smashers gradually pulled ahead. A scoring burst, led by three straight attacks from Anastasiya Kudryashova and an ace by Panaga, widened the gap and gave Creamline a commanding 2-0 lead.

In the third set, Creamline built a 16-11 cushion before Al Naser made a brief push to cut the deficit to two. But the Cool Smashers responded calmly. A service error, a miscue from Al Naser, and a signature crosscourt hit restored order. From there, Creamline never looked back.

American import Erica Staunton took over down the stretch, scoring four of Creamline’s final five points—including back-to-back crosscourt hits and the game-winner. She finished with a team-high 17 points on 13 attacks, three service aces, and a block.

Veteran skipper Alyssa Valdez added 10 markers on seven attacks, two aces, and a block. Kudryashova and Anastassiya Kolomoyets chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

Defensively, Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres made the most of her opportunity, tallying 10 excellent digs and two receptions in one of her strongest outings for the Cool Smashers. 

Creamline’s balanced offense and rock-solid floor defense proved too much for the UAE-based squad, sending an early warning to the rest of the tournament field.